WO2014007855A1

WO2014007855A1 - Packaging machine

Info

Publication number: WO2014007855A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/031273
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Christophe Bonnain; Gerard Louret
Original assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, Llc
Priority date: 2012-03-14
Filing date: 2013-03-14
Publication date: 2014-01-09

Abstract

A packaging machine (10) comprising a first conveyor (12) for providing an input stream of articles (A), a grouping mechanism (15) for grouping the input stream of articles into discrete groups of one or more articles, a film applicator (22) for applying a sheet of material, the film applicator (22) orientated so as to apply the sheet of material to form a tubular structure having a tubular axis which is orientated substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the one or more articles being packaged.

Description

PACKAGING MACHINE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of GB Patent Applications No. 1204441.8 and No. 1205757.6, filed March 14, 2012 and March 30, 2012 respectively, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a packaging machine and method of packaging a product, more specifically, but not exclusively, to a packaging machine for application of a combination of film wrap and paperboard to a product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of packaging it is often required to provide consumers with a package comprising multiple primary product containers. Such multi-packs are desirable for shipping and distribution and for display of promotional information. For cost and environmental considerations, such multi-packs need to be formed from as little material as possible and cause as little wastage in the materials from which they are formed as possible. Another consideration is the strength of the packaging and its suitability for holding and transporting large weights of articles.

It is desirable to provide a packaging machine which can automate production of such multi- packs.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention seeks to overcome, or at least mitigate, the problems of the prior art.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a packaging machine comprising a first conveyor for providing an input stream of articles, a grouping mechanism for grouping the input stream of articles into discrete groups of one or more articles and a film applicator for applying a sheet of material, the film applicator orientated so as to apply the sheet of material to form a tu bular structure having a tubular axis which is orientated substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the one or more articles being packaged.

Preferably, the film applicator is orientated to apply the sheet of material vertically about a group of articles.

Preferably, the packaging machine comprises a carton or insert applicator for applying a carton or insert to each respective group of articles.

Preferably, the packaging machine comprises a shrinking station for shrinking the sheet of material about the group of articles so as to tighten the sheet of material about the article groups.

Preferably, the film applicator comprises a film handling device, optionally in the form of a finger, for wrapping the sheet of material about the group of articles. In one embodiment, the film handling device is provided upon a conveyor comprising a working reach and a return reach and each of which comprises a portion which extends substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the article groups on a conveyor.

Preferably, the orientation of each group of articles remains fixed whilst the sheet of material is applied about the article groups.

Preferably, the film applicator comprises a conveyor for moving the finger about each of the article groups as the sheet of material is applied.

Preferably, the article groups are conveyed in a downstream direction continuously whilst the sheet of material is applied.

Preferably, the article groups comprise a downstream end and an upstream end and the film applicator applies the sheet of material to one of the upstream or downstream ends of the respective article groups before the other of the upstream or downstream end. More preferably, the film applicator applies the sheet of material to the upstream end of each respective article group before the downstream end.

Preferably, the sheet of material forms a tubular structure about the article group. Such a tubular structure comprises a tubular axis which is orientated perpendicularly to the direction of travel of the article group on a conveyor. More preferably, the tubular axis is orientated substantially vertically with respect to the conveyor.

Preferably, the packaging machine comprises a second conveyor orientated su bstantially perpendicularly to the first conveyor, the group of articles being brought into contact with the second conveyor and each sheet of material may be fed between the second conveyor and a respective article group.

Optionally, the second conveyor comprises a pair of conveyor belts spaced apart from one another and the sheet of material passes through a gap between said pair of conveyor belts.

Optionally, the second conveyor comprises a gap, slot or aperture through which the sheet of material passes.

In some embodiments, the film handling device may pass through the gap, slot or aperture provided in the second conveyor to collect the sheet of material.

In some embodiments, the packaging machine comprises an article rotator for controlling the respective orientation of the or each article within each article group. The article rotator may maintain a predefined orientation of the or each article within each article group during application of the sheet of material thereto.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of packaging a group of articles comprising conveying a group of articles in a downstream direction in a packaging machine, and applying a sheet of film about the group of articles. A third aspect of the present invention provides a packaging machine for packaging one or more articles comprising:

a first conveyor for providing an input stream of articles to be packaged;

a grouping mechanism for grouping the input stream of articles into discrete groups of one or more articles;

a film applicator for applying a sheet of material, the film applicator orientated so as to apply the sheet of material to form a tubular structure having a tubular axis which is orientated substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the one or more articles being packaged, the film applicator comprising a hopper for feeding a sheet of material to each of the groups of one or more articles;

a belt or conveyor arranged to grip a first end of the sheet of material between a surface of the belt or conveyor and a side of the respective article group being packaged such that the belt or conveyor moves the first end of the sheet of material downstream; and

a film handling device for applying a sheet of material to each of the groups of one or more articles, the film handling device moving a second end of the sheet of material about the article group being packaged as the article group is conveyed in a downstream direction.

In some embodiments, the film applicator comprises a plurality of film handling devices such that a plurality of groups of articles can be packaged simultaneously whilst being conveyed in a downstream direction.

Preferably, the belt or conveyor comprises a gap through which the sheet of material is fed and through which the film handling device passes to collect the sheet of material.

Optionally, the packaging machine comprises an article rotator for rotating the respective orientation of the or each article with each article group to a predefined orientation and maintaining the predefined orientation of the or each article within each article group during application of the sheet of material thereto. A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method of packaging one or more articles comprising:

providing an input stream of articles to be packaged;

grouping the input stream of articles into discrete groups of one or more articles; feeding a sheet of material to each of the groups of one or more articles; applying a sheet of material, the sheet of material being orientated so as to apply the sheet of material to form a tubular structure having a tubular axis which is orientated substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the one or more articles being packaged;

gripping a first end of the sheet of material between a surface of a belt or conveyor and a side of an article group being packaged;

moving the first end of the sheet of material downstream with the group of one or more articles; and

wrapping the sheet of material about the group of one or more articles being packaged as the group of one or more articles is conveyed in a downstream direction.

Within the scope of this application it is envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be taken independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there is incompatibility of features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a packaging machine according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of the packaging machine of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view from above of a package formed by the packaging machine of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view from above of an alternative package formed from the packaging machine of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view from above of another alternative package formed from the packaging machine of Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is a perspective view from above of yet another alternative package formed from the packaging machine of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the packaging machine, methods, packages, blanks and cartons are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the packaging machine, methods, packages, blanks and cartons described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a perspective view of a packaging machine 10 capable of accepting an input of primary products A each having a longitudinal axis such as, but not limited to, bottles, cans, cups, jars, bricks and pouches, hereinafter referred to as articles A. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, articles A are shown as bottles for the illustrative purpose only. However, since the bottles each has a su bstantially cylindrical body, the "longitudinal axis" of each article A when it is a bottle refers to the cylindrical axis of that bottle. The same interpretation of the "longitudinal axis" would apply as far as each article A has a substantially cylindrical shape. More specifically, when each article is a can, cup or jar having a substantially cylindrical body, the "longitudinal axis" of that article refers to the cylindrical axis the substantially cylindrical body of that article. On the other hand, when each article A is a brick or pouch, the "longitudinal axis" refers to the tubular axis of that article in the sense that a brick or pouch typically has a tubular structure having its opposed ends sealed wherein an integral or separate spout is provided at one of the sealed ends. Packaging machine 10 comprises a first conveyor 12 for conveying an input stream of articles A. The articles A are placed on the first conveyor 12 in their upright positions wherein their longitudinal axes are parallel to one another and each axis extends vertically. The input stream of articles A comprises a pair of lanes of articles A. A metering wheel 14 is disposed on each of the opposing sides of first conveyor 12. Each metering wheel 14, optionally, ensures that the articles A in each respective lane of the pair are spaced apart by a predefined distance or pitch.

A grouping mechanism or grouping device 15 is preferably located downstream of the metering wheels 14 and creates groups of one or more articles A, of a predefined size or number, from the input stream. In the illustrated embodiment, the grouping device 15 creates groups of six articles A arranged in a 3 x 2 array. In other embodiments, other numbers, arrangements, types, configurations and combinations of articles are envisaged.

An article orientation device 21, which comprises an overhead conveyor 20 having a plurality of tool heads 18 mounted on the overhead conveyor 20, is disposed in part over the grouping device 15.

Each tool head 18 comprises a plurality of article rotators 17. In the illustrated embodiment there are six article rotators 17, one for each article in the 3 x 2 array (as such in other embodiments where a different number and/or arrangement of articles A are contained in the groups of one or more articles, a different number to six article rotators 17 may be used). Each tool head 18 is conveyed about the overhead conveyor 20 in a continuous loop in a direction indicated by direction arrow D2 (See Figure 1). A detecting means, for example cameras 16a, 16b is located on each side of first conveyor 12 between metering wheels 14 and grouping device 15. The detecting means (hereafter referred to as cameras) 16a, 16b are coupled to a control unit (not shown) which, in dependence upon data obtained by the cameras 16a, 16b, determines the orientation of each article A in the input stream. The control unit determines whether each of the articles A in the input stream requires rotation in order to be orientated in a predetermined desired position (for example, with a product label facing out). In some embodiments it is envisaged that the orientation of each article A in each respective group G of articles A may be dependent upon the respective location of each article A within the group G.

The article rotators 17 of the tool head 18 are capable of rotating each article A within each respective group of articles A independently of one another.

The articles A are conveyed by the overhead conveyor 20 and the tool heads 18 to a wrapping station 23. At the wrapping station 23, a film wrap is applied to the group of articles A. Film wrap optionally, but nevertheless preferably comprises a flexible thin sheet of material, preferably of a polymeric plastics material, for example polyolefin, PVC or other suitable material. The film wrap is stored on a roll, preferably as a continuous single piece which is cut to a desired size when being unwound from the roll. In some embodiments, the roll may comprise a plurality of individual sheets cut to size and wrapped about a storage unit, preferably a cylinder, so as to remove the need to cut the sheet as it is unwound.

Wrapping station 23 comprises a film wrap feeder 22, which stores rolls of film wrap and cuts the rolls of film to a predetermined size, dependent upon the size of the group G of articles A being packaged. Wrapping station 23 also comprises a pair of belts 24, 26, which belts 24, 26 rotate about a substantially vertical axis. The pair of belts 24, 26 comprises a first belt 24 and a second belt 26. In other embodiments it is envisaged that the pair of belts 24, 26 may have other orientations, but that the axis of rotation of the pair of belts 24, 26 will preferably be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of each article A. First belt 24 is spaced apart from the second belt 26 to form a gap or slot through which a sheet of film wrap can be fed. The pair of belts 24, 26 comprises a working reach and a return reach. The pair of belts 24, 26 is driven such that the working reach moves in the downstream direction, that is to say in the same direction that the group G of articles A is moved by the portion of the overhead conveyor 20 disposed over the pair of belts 24, 26. Film wrap is orientated such that it can be wrapped around a group G of articles A to form an open ended tubular structure which has a vertically oriented tubular axis. In other embodiments, other orientations are envisaged, in which the orientation of the film wrap is arranged such that the tubular axis of the tubular structure formed therefrom is su bstantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the articles A being packaged. Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, when a group Gl of articles A approaches the slot or gap between the first belt 24 and the second belt 26, film wrap or a sheet of film S is fed by the feeder 22 through the gap to engage with a side edge of the group Gl of articles A. The sheet of film S is fed between second belt 26 and a first side edge of the group G2 of articles A, thus securing a first end of the sheet between the second belt 26 and the article group G2 so that tension can be maintained in the sheet of film S. A film handling device in the form of a finger 28a, 28b, best shown in Figure 2, passes through the slot or gap between the first belt 24 and the second belt 26 as the trailing edge of group G2 passes the gap. In this way the first end of the of sheet of film S is trapped between the second belt 26 and the respective article group G, and the first end of the sheet of film S is moved downstream with the article group G.

Finger 28a, 28b engages with the sheet of film S as it passes through the gap between the first belt 24 and the second belt 26. Finger 28a, 28b holds the sheet of film S in tension as it is applied to each article group G.

Fingers 28a, 28b are mounted upon a conveyor 13. Preferably, conveyor 13 is ovaloid in shape. Fingers 28a, 28b are conveyed about the conveyor 13 in the direction indicated by direction arrow Dl (see Figures 1 and 2). It will be appreciated that the direction of rotation D2 of the overhead conveyor 20 is opposite to the direction of rotation Dl of conveyor 13. The conveyor 13 comprises a working reach and a return reach; when the fingers 28a, 28b are disposed in the working reach they are engaged with the sheet of film S. The fingers 28a, 28b move in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the groups G of articles A when disposed on the working reach of the conveyor 13; in this way the fingers 28a, 28b are moved in the downstream direction over the working reach of the conveyor 13. Each finger 28a, 28b engages with the sheet S, optionally, by friction and this may maintain the sheet S in a substantially vertical orientation. Sheet S can slide over the respective fingers 28a, 28b due to movement of the fingers 28a, 28b about the conveyor 13 which overcomes the friction, such that the finger 28a, 28b wraps the sheet or material S about the trailing edge of the group of one or more articles followed by the second opposing side edge and leading edge of the group G2, G3 of articles A. In this way the sheet of film S begins to form a tubular structure about the group G3 of articles A (see Figure 2).

The fingers 28a, 28b are accelerated such that they overtake or pass the article group G2 being wrapped to pass in front of the article group G2 so as to apply the sheet of material S, as described, namely, to the trailing edge, a second side of the article group G2 and leading edge. The fingers 28a, 28b cross the path of the article group G2 so as to carry the second end of the sheet of film S across the leading face of the article group G2. In this way the sheet of film S is wrapped or wound about the article group G as the article group G is moved downstream. Once the sheet of material or film wrap S has been applied to each of the groups G of one or more articles A each group G is transferred to a third conveyor 30 (see Figures 1 and 2). A pair of belts 29 or guide rails 29 disposed above third conveyor 30 maintains the sheet of material or film wrap S in position about the articles A as each group G of articles A is conveyed into a shrinking station 32. The pair of belts 29 or guide rails 29 may facilitate bringing the second end of the sheet of film S into contact with the side edge of the group G of articles A with which the first end of the sheet of material S is in contact. As such, the first and second ends of the sheet of material or wrapping film S are in an overlapping relationship. Heat, or other suitable shrinking means, is applied to the groups G of articles A in the shrinking station 32 to cause the sheet of material S to shrink to form a tight, secure package. In other embodiments, other treatments or conditioning may be conducted at the shrinking station 32 to secure the wrapped film about the groups G of articles A. The article rotators 17 maintain the orientation of the articles A within each respective group G of articles A to which the film wrap S is applied. This prevents, or at least mitigates against, the film wrap S from changing the orientation of the articles A during application of the sheet of material or film wrap S about the articles. Article rotators 17 may comprise a vacuum system or gripper for engaging each article A.

The groups G of articles A may also be packaged with a paperboard or other suitable material in combination with the film wrap S. Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 show exemplary embodiments of packages 50, 150, 250, 350 which include such additional packaging. The additional packaging can be used to provide a carrying handle or advertising panel or other display panel.

The packaging machine 10, in those embodiments in which additional packaging is applied, preferably includes a carton applicator (not shown). It is envisaged that the carton applicator may be located upstream of the wrapping station 23. In other words, the carton or packaging insert may be applied before the film wrap S is applied. In other embodiments the carton applicator may be located downstream of the wrapping station 23. In other words, the carton or packaging insert is applied after the film wrap has been applied to the groups G of articles A. Preferably, in such embodiments, the carton applicator is located between wrapping station 23 and the shrinking station 32. In yet other embodiments, the carton applicator may be located downstream from the shrinking station 23. Further optionally, the carton applicator may be positioned above the wrapping station 23 such that a carton or packaging insert is top-loaded onto the article group G at the same time as the sheet of material is wrapped about the article group G.

Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary package 50 comprising a film wrap 51 and an additional packaging element 52. This additional packaging element 52 comprises a top panel 54 and opposed side panels 56. Top panel 54 comprises a plurality of apertures each for engaging a respective article A. Each aperture is associated with one or more engaging tabs for securing the article A within the top panel 54. In some em bodiments the side panels 56 are disposed between the articles A and the film wrap 51.

In embodiments in which side panels 56 are disposed between the articles A and the film wrap 51, it is envisaged that the additional packaging element 52 may be applied prior to application of the film wrap 51. In other embodiments in which side panels 56 are disposed externally of the shrink wrap the additional packaging element 52 may be applied downstream of the wrapping station 23, and/or the shrinking station 32. Referring now to Figures 4, 5 and 6, there are shown alternative packages 150, 250, 350 which can be formed by the packaging machine 10 of the present disclosure. In the second, third and fourth illustrated packages, like numerals have, where possible, been used to denote like parts, albeit with the addition of the prefix "100" or "200" or "300" to indicate that these features belong to the second, third or fourth packaging embodiment. The alternative embodiments share many common features with the first embodiment and therefore only the differences from the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 will be described in any greater detail.

Figure 4 illustrates an alternative package 150 comprising a film wrap 151 and an additional packaging element 152. The additional packaging element 152 comprises a top panel 154 having cut outs or recesses for receiving a neck portion of a respective article A. Top panel 154 comprises a pair of finger gripping apertures 155 for forming a carrying handle, which may include tabs hingedly connected to the top panel 154 to provide a cushioning element in use. A pair of keel panels 157 forms a keel structure disposed between two rows of articles A. The keel structure acts as a spacing member to maintain spacing of upper portions of the articles A.

Figure 5 illustrates a further alternative packaging structure 250 comprising a film wrap 251 and an additional packaging element 252. The packaging element 252 comprises a partition panel 258 having a handle aperture H. A base panel (not visible) is coupled to partition panel 258 and opposed side panels 256. Opposed side panels 256 comprise an aperture 259 for receiving a heel portion of an article A. Side panels 256 may be disposed between the film wrap 251 and the articles A. Figure 6 illustrates yet a further alternative packaging structure 350 formable by the packaging machine according to embodiments of the present invention. The packaging structure 350 comprises a film wrap 351 and a partition panel 352 having a handle structure. A tu bular structure 353, which may be formed from paperboard or similar material, is disposed about an upper portion of the articles A of the article group G. In some embodiments the tubular structure 353 may be formed from an additional sheet of film wrap.

The partition panel 352 comprises a spacer element in the form of a tube. Optionally, to provide rigidity, the tube is diamond shaped in cross section. In other embodiments, other suitable cross-sectional shapes are envisaged, for example, triangular.

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention; for example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape. The size and arrangement of the article groups may be configured to any desired configuration. The input stream may comprise a single lane or may include a greater number of input lanes.

In the illustrated embodiments, the fingers 28a, 28b of the film applicator 22 are illustrated moving in an anticlockwise direction (when viewed from above) about the groups G of articles A. In alternative embodiments, it is envisaged that the fingers 28a, 28b could be rotated clockwise such that the film wrap S is applied to the leading edge of the article group G before application to the trailing edge.

It will be appreciated that the packaging machine 10 comprises a pair of film handling devices in the form of fingers 28a, 28b; these finger 28a, 28b maintain the film in a planar configuration whilst it is being applied to the articles A. This may reduce the likelihood of creases or folds being formed in the sheet of film S as it is applied to the articles A. The packaging machine 10 of the illustrated embodiment is capable of wrapping two groups G of articles A simultaneously whilst the two groups G of articles A are being continuously moved downstream or in a forward direction. It will also be appreciated that whereas the illustrated embodiment comprises two fingers 28a, 28b on the conveyor 13, a greater or lesser number of fingers 28a, 28b may be provided in other envisaged arrangements such that a greater or lesser number of groups G of articles A may be packaged simultaneously.

It will be appreciated that the packaging machine 10 of the illustrated embodiment returns on itself or has a "folded" configuration. That is to say, the direction of travel of the articles A is reversed relative to an observer. The packing machine 10 comprises an input end and an output end and the articles A are moved from the input end to the output end, this is the downstream direction. It will be appreciated that the packaging machine 10 could be arranged in an unfolded configuration, that is to say one in which the direction of travel of the articles A is constant relative to an observer.

It will be recognised that as used herein, directional references such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "end", "side", "inner", "outer", "upper" and "lower" do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only; indeed it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of the following: a short slit, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A packaging machine comprising:

a first conveyor for providing an input stream of articles;

a grouping mechanism for grouping the input stream of articles into discrete groups each comprising one or more articles;

a film applicator for applying a sheet of material to each of the discrete groups, the film applicator orientated so as to apply the sheet of material to form a tubular structure having a tu bular axis which tubular axis is orientated substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the one or more articles being packaged.

2. A packaging machine according to claim 1 wherein the film applicator is orientated to apply the sheet of material vertically about a group of one or more articles.

3. A packaging machine according to either of claims 1 or 2 comprising a carton or insert applicator for applying a carton or insert to each respective group of one or more articles.

4. A packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein there further comprises a shrinking station for shrinking the sheet of material about the group of one or more articles so as to tighten the sheet of material about the group of one or more articles.

5. A packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the film applicator comprises a film handling device for wrapping the sheet of material about the group of one or more articles.

6. A packaging machine according to claim 5 wherein the film handling device is in the form of a finger.

7. A packaging machine according to either of claims 5 or 6 wherein the film handling device is provided upon a conveyor comprising a working reach and a return reach and each of which comprises a portion which extends substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the groups of one or more articles on a conveyor.

8. A packaging machine according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the orientation of each group of one or more articles remains fixed whilst the sheet of material is applied about each group of one or more articles.

9. A packaging machine according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the film applicator comprises a conveyor for moving the finger about each of the groups of one or more articles as the sheet of material is applied.

10. A packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the groups of one or more articles are conveyed in a downstream direction continuously whilst the sheet of material is applied.

11. A packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the groups of one or more articles comprise a downstream end and an upstream end and the film applicator applies the sheet of material to one of the upstream or downstream ends of the respective groups of one or more articles before the other of the upstream or downstream end.

12. A packaging machine according to claim 11 wherein the film applicator applies the sheet of material the upstream end of each respective group of one or more articles before the downstream end.

13. A packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the sheet of material forms a tubular structure about the groups of one or more articles, which tubular structure comprises a tu bular axis, which tubular axis is orientated perpendicularly to the direction of travel of the group of one or more articles on a conveyor.

14. A packaging machine according to claim 13 wherein the tubular axis is orientated substantially vertically with respect to the conveyor.

15. A packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein a second conveyor is orientated substantially perpendicularly to the first conveyor, the group of one or more articles being brought into contact with the second conveyor and wherein each sheet of material is fed between the second conveyor and a respective group of articles.

16. A packaging machine according to claim 15 wherein the second conveyor comprises a pair of conveyor belts spaced apart from one another and the sheet of material passes through a gap between said pair of conveyor belts.

17. A packaging machine according to claim 15 wherein the second conveyor comprises a gap, slot or aperture through which the sheet of material passes.

18. A packaging machine according to either of claims 15 or 16, wherein the film handling device passes through the gap, slot or aperture provided in the second conveyor to collect the sheet of material.

19. A packaging machine according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the packaging machine comprises an article rotator for controlling the respective orientation of the or each article within each group of one or more articles.

20. A packaging machine according to claim 19, wherein the article rotator maintains a predefined orientation of the or each article within each article group during application of the sheet of material thereto.

21. A packaging machine for packaging one or more articles comprising:

a first conveyor for providing an input stream of articles to be packaged; a grouping mechanism for grouping the input stream of articles into discrete groups of one or more articles;

a film applicator for applying a sheet of material, the film applicator orientated so as to apply the sheet of material to form a tubular structure having a tu bular axis which tubular axis is orientated substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the one or more articles being packaged, the film applicator comprising a hopper for feeding a sheet of material to each of the groups of one or more articles;

a belt or conveyor arranged to grip a first end of the sheet of material between a surface of the belt or conveyor and side of the respective group of one or more articles being packaged such that the belt or conveyor moves the first end of the sheet of material downstream; and a film handling device for applying a sheet of material to each of the groups of one or more articles,

the film handling device moving a second end of the sheet of material about the group of one or more articles being packaged as the group of one or more articles is conveyed in a downstream direction.

22. A packaging machine according to claim 21, wherein the film applicator comprises a plurality of film handling devices such that a plurality of groups of one or more articles can be packaged simultaneously whilst being conveyed in a downstream direction.

23. A packaging machine according to claim 21, wherein the belt or conveyor comprises a gap through which the sheet of material is fed and through which the film handling device passes to collect the sheet of material.

24. A packaging machine according to claim 21, wherein the packaging machine comprises an article rotator for rotating the respective orientation of the or each article within each group of one or more articles into a predefined orientation and maintaining the predefined orientation of the or each article within each group of one or more articles during application of the sheet of material thereto.

25. A method of packaging a group of articles comprising:

conveying a group of articles in a downstream direction in a packaging machine;

applying a sheet of film about the group of articles as the articles are being conveyed.

26. A method of packaging one or more articles comprising:

providing an input stream of articles to be packaged;

grouping the input stream of articles into discrete groups of one or more articles;

feeding a sheet of material to each of the groups of one or more articles; applying a sheet of material, the sheet of material being orientated so as to apply the sheet of material to form a tubular structure having a tubular axis which tubular axis is orientated substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the one or more articles being packaged;

gripping a first end of the sheet of material between a surface of a belt or conveyor and a side of a group of one or more articles being packaged; moving the first end of the sheet of material downstream with the group of one or more articles; and

27. A method of packaging a group of articles substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated by the accompanying Figures.

28. A packaging machine for packaging articles substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated by the accompanying Figures.